title: Arginase activity is associated with fibrosis in experimental infection with Taenia crassiceps, but does not play a major role in resistance to infection.
abstract: Murine infection with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci is used as an experimental model for human and animal cysticercosis. In this infection parasites can be found associated with an inflammatory infiltrate enriched with macrophages. Experimental evidence exists supporting a role for either NO-producing classically activated (CAMΦ) or arginase- and CD301-expressing alternatively activated macrophages (AAMΦ) in T. crassiceps resistance. In both cell types, arginine is utilized as an important mediator in macrophage effector functions. To investigate whether there is an association between arginine availability, susceptibility to T. crassiceps and other parameters such as fibrosis, BALB/c mice were infected intraperitoneally with cysticerci and treated daily with the arginase inhibitor nor-NOHA or supplemented with l-arginine and followed for eight weeks. The numbers and developmental stages of parasites were evaluated as well as the presence of CD301+ AAMΦ, arginase activity and collagen deposition in the peritoneal membrane. Treatment with the arginase inhibitor or supplementation with l-arginine did not change the parasitic load or profile of the infection. However, the arginase inhibitor significantly decreased the deposition of collagen. These results suggest that arginase activity does not interfere with parasite control during experimental infection with T. crassiceps, but it is important for fibrosis in cysticercosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Parasitology and Pathology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235 S/N, Setor Universitário, 74605-050 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. Electronic address: vaniabeatriz2000@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Vania B L
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Moura
authors.forename: Mayara M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Lucas F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.forename: Clayson M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Pieter J M
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Leenen
authors.forename: Ruy S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Lino
authors.forename: Milton A P
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001119:Arginase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000201:enzymology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000166:cytology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D056627:Peritoneal Fibrosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013621:Taenia
chemical_list: C404735:N(omega)-hydroxynorarginine; D003094:Collagen; D001120:Arginine; D001119:Arginase
keywords: Alternatively activated macrophages; Arginase; Collagen; Cysticercosis; Fibrosis; Taenia crassiceps